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LDWF ENFORCEMENT AGENTS RECEIVE GRANT FOR GROSS LITTER EFFORTS
ST. LANDRY PARISH MEN CITED
FOR ALLIGATOR VIOLATION
THREE OYSTER FISHERMEN CITED FOR TAKING OYSTERS FROM UNLEASED
WATERBOTTOMS
IN LAKE BORGNE TWO CITED FOR UNAPPROVED OYSTER HARVEST
RAPIDES PARISH MAN SENTENCED IN ALLEN PARISH FOR NIGHT
HUNTING VIOLATIONS
SIX MEN CITED FOR UNDERSIZED AND
OVER LIMIT OF COBIA
VERMILION PARISH MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL CHARGES
TRASH REMOVED ON ROCKEFELLER / 35 CITED
FOUR OFFSHORE WORKERS CITED FOR FISHERIES VIOLATIONS
BOATING SAFETY STOP
PRODUCES STOLEN BOAT, DRUGS AND WEAPONS CHARGES
ZACHARY MAN CITED FOR RED DRUM VIOLATION
ARKANSAS RESIDENTS CITED ON GASSOWAY LAKE FOR POSSESSION OF
PADDLEFISH
LDWF ENFORCEMENT AGENTS RECEIVE GRANT FOR GROSS LITTER
EFFORTS
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement
Division and Keep Louisiana Beautiful are furthering cooperative efforts to
combat litter in the Sportsman's Paradise. Keep Louisiana Beautiful awarded
the LDWF Enforcement Division a $15,000 grant for overtime funding to
enhance gross litter enforcement efforts.
The state's natural resources and supporting ecosystems are negatively
affected by the criminal behavior of gross littering. In addition to the
negative affects on the natural resources, litter is bad business for
tourism and economic development.
According to LDWF's Enforcement Division Administrator, Col. Winton Vidrine,
enforcement agents take a hard line on littering. "We will continue our zero
tolerance posture on littering in Louisiana," he said. "This grant will
benefit the citizens in a positive fashion."
The LDWF Enforcement Division issues hundreds of citations each year for
gross littering violations throughout the state. The grant dollars will be
allocated to the enforcement region with the highest gross litter
apprehension rate during the previous year.
ST. LANDRY PARISH MEN CITED FOR ALLIGATOR VIOLATION
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents
cited two St. Landry Parish men on July 2 for allegedly killing an alligator
during a closed close season.
Acting on a complaint, agents were able to apprehend Reginald Brown Jr., 20,
and Blyth Offord, 21, both of Washington. Brown and Offord still had the
freshly killed 5-foot alligator in their ice chest. The alligator was
seized and later sold.
The penalty for taking an alligator during a closed season is a fine between
$400 and $750 or jail time up to 120 days or both plus court costs.
Agents participating in the case were Lt. Glen Gremillion, Sgts. Travis
Huval, Cliff Ortis, Brad Garon and Senior Agent Channing Duvall. The Krotz
Springs Police Department also assisted in the case.
THREE OYSTER FISHERMEN CITED FOR TAKING OYSTERS FROM UNLEASED WATERBOTTOMS
IN LAKE BORGNE
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division
agents cited three men for alleged oyster violations in St. Bernard Parish
on June 26. Utilizing aerial patrol, agents saw a vessel being used to
harvest oysters from the unleased area located in Lake Borgne.
The occupants of the vessel were identified as Louis Ray Guertin II, 29,
from St. Bernard, William Diaz, 30, and, Emner Omar Lazo, 26, both from
Houston, Texas. Agents cited the men for unlawfully taking oysters from
state water bottoms.
A total of 20 sacks of oysters were seized. The boat and dredges were
placed under an LDWF seizure order.
Unlawfully taken oysters from state water bottoms is punishable by a fine
between $400 and $750, or jail time up to 120 days, or both plus court
costs.
Agents participating in case were Sgt. Bryan Marie, Sgt. Scott Keller and
Pilot Gene Rackel.
TWO CITED FOR UNAPPROVED OYSTER HARVEST
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents
cited two men on July 5 for allegedly taking oysters from an unapproved area
near Lake Borgne and the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO).
David Palmer, 29, and Richard Pecot, Jr., 29, both from St. Bernard Parish,
were seen dredging for oysters near the MRGO and Lake Borgne located in St.
Bernard Parish.
The Department of Health and Hospitals Oyster Water Monitoring Program
closed this area of Lake Borgne due to high levels of potentially harmful
bacteria. DHH issues maps quarterly to designate open oyster waters and
closed oyster areas with high bacteria counts.
Agents seized and returned 15 sacks of oysters to the water and placed two
oyster dredges and one boat under seizure order.
If convicted, each person faces penalties of up to $750 in fines, up to 120
days in jail, or both plus court costs. Additionally, whoever violates this
subsection is subject to revocation of commercial fishing licenses.
For the first offense, the licenses will be suspended for one year. For the
second and subsequent offenses, the licenses will be suspended for three
years.
Furthermore, any person convicted of any violation of the provisions of this
subsection will be mandated for one year to harvest oysters from a vessel
equipped with a vessel monitoring system that LDWF will have access to
monitor.
Agents participating in the case were Lt. Stephen McManus, Sgt. Bryan Marie
and Senior Agent Kris Bourgeois.
RAPIDES PARISH MAN SENTENCED IN ALLEN PARISH FOR NIGHT HUNTING VIOLATIONS
Louis Arron Johnson, 48, of Forest Hill pled guilty to hunting deer during
illegal hours by aid of artificial light on June 15 at the Allen Parish
Courthouse in front of 33rd Judicial District Court Judge Joel Davis.
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division
agents observed Johnson on Jan. 14, 2006, illegally hunting deer at night
near Oakdale.
Judge Davis sentenced Johnson to pay a fine of $900, plus $107 in court
costs. Judge Davis also ordered Johnson to forfeit his firearm and
spotlight to the LDWF Enforcement Division.
Allen Parish Assistance District Attorney Rod Bertrand prosecuted the case
for the state. Agents participating in the case were Senior Agents Joey
James, Steve Vidrine and Jason Stagg.
SIX MEN CITED FOR UNDERSIZED AND OVER LIMIT OF COBIA
Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents
cited six men on June 10 in two separate cases in Federal waters.
Four of the men were identified as Larry Dao Le, 36, Cheo Van Le, 46, Toan
Van Le, 75, and Steven Nguyen, 54, all from Port Neches Texas. They were
cited for allegedly possessing over the limit of cobia. The four men were
in possession of 15 cobia. The creel limit for cobia is two per person.
Cheo Le was also cited for allegedly possessing an undersized cobia.
During a separate investigation Edwin Byrne Edwards, 49, and Stuart James
Hill, 49, both from Lafayette, were cited for allegedly taking and
possessing undersized cobia. The minimum size for cobia is 33 inches fork
length. Seventeen cobia were seized from all six men and donated to a
homeless shelter.
Possessing over the limit and undersized cobia are violations of commission
rules and regulations. The penalty for violating commission rules and
regulations is a fine between $150 and $350, or 60 days in jail or both.
These cases were filed in Vermilion Parish 15th Judicial District.
Agents involved in these investigations were Lt. Robert Buatt, and Agents
Justin Sonnier and Jason Stagg.
VERMILION PARISH MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL CHARGES
A Vermilion Parish
resident, Edward G. Saal Jr., 52, of Gueydan pled guilty
on June 15 in Federal Court in Lafayette to violations of the Migratory Bird
Treaty Act.
On Jan. 5, 2006, agents observed Saal hunting ducks south of Gueydan. Saal
shot 19 ducks including 12 pintails, five mallards (three of which were
hens) and two widgeons. The limit for ducks is six per person per day, only
one of which may be a pintail, only four of which may be mallards and of the
mallards, only two may be hens. Saal was also using lead shot while hunting
ducks.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Mildred Methvin sentenced Saal to pay a $500 fine plus
a $10 assessment for the over limit charge and a $350 fine plus a $10
assessment for the toxic shot charge. He was also ordered to pay a fine of
$100 per duck totaling $1,900 bringing the total to $2,770 in fines.
Additionally, he was sentenced to one year of unsupervised probation that
includes the revocation of his hunting privileges world-wide.
Agents participating in the case were Special Agent Phillip Siragusa with
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Senior Agent Lonnie Campbell with the
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division. The
case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Mickel.
TRASH REMOVED ON ROCKEFELLER / 35 CITED
Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents
recently cited 35 people on Rockefeller Refuge in Cameron Parish for a
variety of alleged violations. The citations were issued for intentional
littering, violations of refuge rules and regulations, taking game fish
illegally, over limit of shrimp, undersized fish, and over limit of fish.
The refuge has experienced heavy usage during the months of May and June due
to abundant shrimp and crab catches; the influx of visitors caused excessive
littering. Failure to return cast net by-catch to the water has contributed
decomposing fish and other aquatic life to the littering problem.
On Thursday June 15, the Cameron and Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's offices
provided trustee prisoners to pick up litter and clean up decomposed
by-catch left by cast net fishermen. The cleanup crew removed 20 55-gallon
bags of trash from the refuge.
Following the clean up, agents cracked down on litter and rules and
regulations violations on the refuge. Enforcement agents working in plain
clothes witnessed and documented violations throughout the refuge. The
covert operation was conducted on June 17, 18 and 19 and resulted in a total
of 35 people receiving 55 citations for the below listed alleged violations:
On June 17, Larry Vincent, 46, of Lafayette was cited for intentional
littering. Paul Trahan, 49, of Lafayette was cited for not abiding by rules
and regulations on a wildlife refuge for not dumping his catch in a
container. Toby Menard, 33, of Breaux Bridge was cited for two counts of
not abiding by rules and regulations, for failing to return by-catch to
water immediately and not dumping catch in a container. Leonard Dautriel,
49, of Westlake was cited for two counts of not abiding by rules and
regulations for failing to return by catch to water immediately, and failing
to dump catch in a container. Dautriel was also cited for intentional
littering. Lance Guillory, 28, of Opelousas was cited for two counts of not
abiding by rules and regulations on a wildlife refuge, for failing to dump
catch in a container, and trespassing in a posted restricted area. James
Castille, 53, of Breaux Bridge was cited for not abiding by rules and
regulations on a wildlife refuge for trespassing in a posted restricted
area. Joseph Schexnider, 49, of Opelousas was cited for two counts of not
abiding by rules and regulations on a wildlife refuge, for failing to dump
catch in a container, and trespassing in a posted restricted area. Chris
Trahan, 38, of Opelousas, was cited for not abiding by rules and regulations
on a wildlife refuge for trespassing in a posted restricted area. Nels
Thomas, 47, and William Burl, 45, both of Abbeville were cited for not
abiding by rules and regulations on a wildlife refuge for trespassing in a
posted restricted area. Cleofed Aucoin, Jr., 42, of Rayne was cited for two
counts of not abiding by rules and regulations on a wildlife refuge, for
taking over limit of shrimp and trespassing in a posted restricted area.
Marlene Aucoin, 43, of Rayne was cited for not abiding by rules and
regulations on a wildlife refuge for trespassing in a posted restricted
area. Emily Aucoin, 24, and Leon Aucoin, 23, both of Rayne were cited for
not abiding by rules and regulations on a wildlife refuge for trespassing in
a posted restricted area.
On June 18, the following individuals were cited for the below listed
alleged violations: Blackbird Boungnadeth, 54, of New Iberia was cited for
taking game fish illegally, taking undersized black drum, taking undersized
red drum, and not abiding by rules and regulations on a wildlife refuge for
failing to return by-catch back to the water immediately. Louella Jordan,
52, of Delcambre, was cited for intentional littering. Joseph Moldeen,
Jr., 46, of Welsh, was cited for two counts of not abiding by rules and
regulations on a wildlife refuge, for failing to return by-catch to water
immediately, and failing to dump catch in a container. Charles Hollier, 29,
of Crowley, was issued a warning for taking undersized red drum. Steven
Richard, 19, of Lafayette was issued a citation for angling without a basic
fishing license. Brigg McDaniel, 28, of Kaplan was cited for not abiding by
rules and regulations on a wildlife refuge for trespassing in a posted
restricted area. Shyla Henry, 19, of Abbeville, was cited for not abiding
by rules and regulations on a wildlife refuge for trespassing in a posted
restricted area. John Swire, 51, of Grand Chenier, was cited for
intentional littering. Viola Evans, 45, of Lake Charles, was cited for
intentional littering. Antonio Jones, 46, of Lake Charles was cited for
intentional littering. Hope Ward, 40, of Duson, was cited for not abiding
by rules and regulations on a wildlife refuge for trespassing in a posted
restricted area. Leonard Cordier, 56, of Crowley, was cited for intentional
littering and taking over limit and undersized black drum.
On June 19, the following individuals were cited for the below listed
alleged violations: Vanessa Bourque, 38, and Steve Bourque, 43, both of
Broussard, were cited for intentional littering. Brandon Thibodeaux, 34, of
Cushing, Texas was cited for two counts of not abiding by rules and
regulations on a wildlife refuge, for failing to return by-catch to water
immediately, and failing to dump catch in a container. Nelson Hebert, Jr.,
70, of Kaplan was cited for two counts of not abiding by rules and
regulations on a wildlife refuge, for failing to return by-catch to water
immediately, and failing to dump catch in a container. Dessard Badeaux, 62,
of New Iberia, was cited for two counts of not abiding by rules and
regulations on a wildlife refuge, for failing to return by-catch to water
immediately, and failing to dump catch in a container. Badeaux was also
cited for intentional littering. Randolf Galentine, 38, of New Iberia, was
cited for not abiding by rules and regulations on a wildlife refuge for
trespassing in a posted restricted area. Joseph Roy, 58, of Estherwood was
cited for not abiding by rules and regulations on a wildlife refuge for
failing to return by-catch to water immediately. Christopher Roy, 24, of
Jennings was cited for two counts of not abiding by rules and regulations on
a wildlife refuge for failing to return by-catch to water immediately, and
failing to dump catch in a container. Roy was also cited for taking game
fish illegally, taking undersized reddrum, and taking undersized spotted sea
trout.
Seized in connection with violations were 35 pounds of shrimp, 17 black
drum, two red drum and two spotted sea trout donated to charity.
The penalty for not abiding by rules and regulations on a WMA is a fine
between $100-$350 or jail time up to 60 days or both plus court cost.
Taking game fish illegally carries a fine between $400-$750 or jail time up
to 120 days or both plus court costs and forfeiture of anything seized.
Taking or possessing undersized red drum carries a fine between $100-$350 or
jail time up to 60 days or both plus court cost plus $25 per fish under 16
inches and revocation of any and all fishing licenses for one to three
years. Taking or possessing undersized and over limit of black drum carries
a fine between $100-$300 or jail time up to 60 days or both plus court cost.
Taking or possessing undersized spotted sea trout carries a fine between
$100-$350 or jail time up to 60 days or both plus court costs, plus $25 per
fish under 12 inches and revocation of any and all fishing licenses for one
to three years. Intentional littering carries a fine of $250 and eight
hours of community service in a litter abatement work program as approved by
the court. A second conviction carries a fine of $500 and 16 hours of
community service in a litter abatement work program approved by the court.
A third or subsequent conviction carries a fine of $1250, a suspended
driver's license for one year, and 80 hours of community service in a litter
abatement work program as approved by the court.
Agents from Beauregard, Allen, Evangeline, Calcasieu, Cameron, Acadia,
Vermilion and Jefferson Davis parishes participated in the large-scale
operation. Cameron Parish Sheriff Theos Duhon and Calcasieu Parish Sheriff
Tony Mancuso assisted in the clean-up effort on Rockefeller Refuge.
FOUR OFFSHORE WORKERS CITED FOR FISHERIES VIOLATIONS
Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents
cited four men for alleged saltwater fisheries violations on June 17.
Hung Bui, 40, New Orleans, was cited for failing to have saltwater fish
intact, possessing undersized red snapper, angling without a license and
angling without a saltwater license. Tuan Nguyen, 33, Gretna, and Quang
Gip, 30, Marrero, were cited for failing to have saltwater fish intact,
angling without a license and angling without a saltwater license. Tot
Nguyen, 52, Marrero, was cited for failing to have saltwater fish intact.
Acting on a tip that the four men were reportedly flying in to Intracoastal
City in Vermilion Parish from offshore with fish that were not intact, the
investigating agents met the incoming flight. Dressed fish consisting of
red snapper, mangrove snapper, king mackerel, black drum and an undersized
red snapper, among other whole fish, were discovered in their possession.
The equivalent of an 84-quart ice chest of fish was seized and donated to
charity.
Current regulations require that saltwater finfish, except garfish and
swordfish, must be maintained with the head and caudal fin intact until
brought to shore. The minimum size limit for red snapper caught
recreationally is 16 inches. Persons possessing fish on the water are
required to have in their possession the required fishing licenses.
The penalty for failing to have saltwater fish intact is a fine between $250
and $350 or jail time up to 90 days or both plus court costs. The penalty
for violating possessing undersized red snapper is a fine between $100 and
$350 or jail time up to 60 days or both plus court costs. The penalties for
angling without a license and angling without a saltwater license are fines
of $50 or jail time up to 15 days or both for first offense.
Agents participating in the investigation were Capt. Jubal Marceaux, Lt.
Robert Buatt, Senior Agent Lonnie Campbell and Agent Justin Sonnier.
BOATING SAFETY STOP PRODUCES STOLEN BOAT, DRUGS AND WEAPONS
CHARGES
Louisiana Department of
Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division senior
agents arrested two Louisiana men after a boating safety stop on the Amite
River in Ascension Parish at 1:27 p.m. on June 11.
The agents stopped Ronnie Lee Shirah, 46, of Port Vincent and John Dwayne
Minks, 38, of Livingston, after observing an expired registration decal on
their vessel. After subsequent investigation, the agents determined that
the vessel was reported stolen and found drug and weapons violations.
Shirah and Minks were each arrested for felony possession of stolen
property, and illegal possession of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and
marijuana. Minks was also cited for possession of a firearm by a convicted
felon and Shirah was issued a citation for an expired boat registration
certificate. Each man was booked into the Ascension Parish Prison on a
$46,000 bond.
Illegal possession of stolen property worth $500 or more is punishable by
imprisonment, with or without hard labor, for up to ten years, or may be
fined up to $3,000 or both. Illegal possession of methamphetamine is
punishable by imprisonment, with or without hard labor, for up to five years
and may be sentenced to pay a fine of up to $5,000. First offense illegal
possession of drug paraphernalia is punishable by a fine up to $500, or
imprisonment up to six months or both. First offense illegal possession of
marijuana is punishable by a fine up to $500, or imprisonment in the parish
jail for up to six months or both. Possession of a firearm by a convicted
felon is punishable by imprisonment at hard labor between 10 and 15 years
without the benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence and a
fine between $1,000 and $5,000. The penalty for an expired boat
registration certificate is a fine of $50, or imprisonment up to 15 days or
both.
Senior agents William Roberts and Jody Moreau participated in the case.
ZACHARY MAN CITED FOR RED DRUM VIOLATION
Agents from the
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement
Division cited Jeffery Paul Ivy, 47, of Zachary on June 10 for allegedly
possessing red drum in Federal waters.
Ivy was cited after agents found him in possession of two red drum in
Federal waters. It is a violation of state and Federal law to possess red
drum in Federal waters off the Louisiana coast. The violation occurred in
the Gulf of Mexico south of Lafourche Parish. Agents found the fish during
a size and bag limit check on Ivy's vessel.
If convicted, he faces a fine between $900 and $950, or jail time up to 120
days or both, plus court costs and forfeiture of anything seized. In
addition there is a $407.27 civil restitution assessment for the two fish.
Agents participating in the cases were Maj. Joey Broussard, Maj. Jeff Mayne,
Sgt. Chad Hebert and Senior Agent William Boyd.
ARKANSAS RESIDENTS CITED ON GASSOWAY LAKE FOR POSSESSION OF PADDLEFISH
Enforcement agents
from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
cited two Arkansas residents on June 13 for alleged commercial fishing
violations on Gassoway Lake in East Carroll Parish.
Kenneth Eugene Rogers, 26, and Shannon Rogers, 25, both of Kingsland,
Arkansas, were issued citations for taking commercial fish without a
commercial license, taking commercial fish without a commercial gear
license, failing to mark or tag nets, and possessing paddlefish.
Agents observed both persons collect fish from approximately 1,600 yards of
gill net. Buffalo fish were placed in a live well area of the vessel while
the paddlefish were placed in a 55-gallon barrel near the bow.
Their boat and outboard were seized in connection with the violations. In
addition, 20 paddlefish and over 700 pounds of buffalo and the gill net were
also seized.
Paddlefish are a protected species and may not be taken in Louisiana. The
maximum fine for possessing paddlefish is $500 and 90 days in jail. Civil
restitution penalties may also be imposed for replacement value of the
resource on a per fish basis.
The maximum penalty for taking commercial fish without a commercial license,
taking fish without a commercial gear license, and fail to mark or tag
commercial nets is $500 and 90 days in jail for each violation. Court costs
are in addition to all the above charges.
Agents participating in the case were Senior Agent Wayne Parker, Agent Josh
Estis, Sgt. Darren Bruce, and Sgt. Jamey Hagan. |
